Valve device

ABSTRACT

A valve device (200) for a closed system for endotracheal aspiration of a patient via a catheter. The device (200) comprises a valve chamber (220, 222) that can be connected to a vacuum source and to the catheter, a valve body (250) arranged in the valve chamber (220, 222), a manually operated actuator button (210) for the valve body (215), a coupling (260) engaging the valve body (250) and to the actuator button (210) for transmitting a movement of the actuator button (210) to the valve button (250), a spring device for holding the valve body (250) in the first position. The device is characterised in that the wall (216) that delimits the valve chamber (220, 222) comprises an opening (219) for receiving the valve body (250), that a resilient membrane (253) forms a sealing of the opening (219) within the valve housing (215), that the resilient membrane is connected to the valve body and the valve housing (215), respectively, and that the coupling (260) extends exteriorly relative to the valve housing (215).

FIELD

The present invention relates to a valve device for a closed system forendotracheal aspiration of a patient via a catheter.

BACKGROUND

It is already known within the art to provide valve devices that areconfigured especially for use in systems for endotracheal aspiration ofa patient. In this context reference is made to e.g. GB patent No2,207,736, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,344 and FR patent application No2,682,603. These disclosures are incorporated in this application textby the present reference.

Albeit the prior art valve devices comply with a large number of thecurrent requirements to functionality, they are, however, all associatedwith inconveniences. These are not only ascribed to high costs ofmanufacture, but also to constructive deficiencies that can, in somesituations, reduce the performance of the valve devices. In the priorart valve devices, secretion sucked from the patient may thus deposit onthe valve body as such, which may lead to sealing problems when theconnection to the vacuum source is interrupted. Thus, adverseaccumulation of secretion in the valve house interior may also occur.

The invention aims to provide a valve device that is superior to theknown valve devices and that does not aim to remedy the describedproblems only, but can also be assembled in a relatively simpleoperation by use of a small number of components.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An improved valve device is obtained by the valve device describedherein. Thus, by the invention the valve chamber has substantially nomovable surfaces in the flow path for fluid that is aspired from thepatient. When through-flow is permitted by manipulating the actuatorbutton, the coupling that connects the valve body with the actuatorbutton is withdrawn from the flow path, contrary to the devicesdisclosed in the above references.

In various embodiments, a device is provided that is simple to operate,a downward pressure on the actuator button in a direction towards thevalve chamber causing a corresponding downward movement of the valvebody and thereby opening the flow passage through the valve chamber.

In various embodiments, the valve device is conveniently enclosed in anactuator housing that has a face that enables the user of the device toprovide a reaction force against the downward pressure force exerted onthe actuator button.

Preferably, the flexible membrane that seals the opening for receipt ofthe valve body has resilient properties and may thus constitute theresilient member for controlling the movement of the valve body. Theflexible membrane can particularly advantageously constitute an integralportion of the valve body. Besides, the valve body can particularlyadvantageously comprise engagement means that allow direct attachment tothe coupling means via complementary engagement means configured on thecoupling means.

Additional embodiments of the valve device enable auto-sealingproperties, since a sub-atmospheric pressure from the vacuum source willmerely entail an increased impact force between the valve body and thevalve seat when the actuator button is in its first position in whichthe two flow passages are cut off from each other.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference tothe embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a part of a system for endotracheal ventilation of apatient;

FIG. 2 illustrates a valve device according to the invention, seen in across-sectional view;

FIG. 3 illustrates the valve device shown in FIG. 2, in an explodedview; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a part of the valve device shown in FIG. 2, inan open and closed position of the valve body, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In principle, the functionality of the system shown in FIG. 1corresponds to the functionality of e.g. the system described in DKpatent application No 32/95. A flexible shrouding or pipe coupling 50is, at its first end 52, connected to the valve device 200 according tothe invention and it is, at its opposite end 54, connected to a manifold100. To the left, the valve device 200 is configured for being connectedto a not shown suction device for generating a sub-atmospheric pressurein the system 1. The manifold 100, which is preferably transparent, isalso configured to be connected—via a coupling 300—to a tubular memberor “tube” for endotracheal ventilation of a patient, ie a tubular memberconfigured for being introduced into the respiratory tracts of thepatient with a view to maintaining artificial ventilation of thepatient. An opening 142 in a ventilation stub 141 allows ventilation ofthe patient by means of a not shown, conventional apparatus.

Besides, the system 1 conventionally comprises a catheter 40 thatextends interiorly of the shrouding 50 and that can be introduced intothe patient's respiratory tracts to draw out secretion. At its first end42, the catheter 40 is securely connected to the valve device 200 and,at its opposite end 44, it is displaceably received in the manifold 100,the catheter being—via a packing 104—sealed relative to the shrouding 50so as to prevent fluid from penetrating into the shrouding. Also, thepacking 104 causes secretion to be scraped off the outside of thecatheter 40 during withdrawal of the catheter from the patient. It willbe understood that the opposite end 44 of the catheter forms a suctionpoint that can, while the shrouding 50 is simultaneously folded, bedisplaced through the manifold interior and into the not shown tube forventilation of the patient. By this movement the end 44 of the catheteris thus conveyed to the right in FIG. 1. Hereby it is possible toperform regular suction of secretion from the patient's respiratorytracts, as the operator connects the system 1 to the suction device byoperating an actuator button 210 arranged in the valve device 200.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of the valve device 200 according to theinvention. The valve device comprises an actuator housing that isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 270 and that has aninterior cavity 282. From the actuator housing 270, a first cylindricaltubular member 235 extends and a second cylindrical tubular member 240by which the valve device 200 can be connected to a suction catheter 40and a not shown suction device, respectively. The first 235 and thesecond 240 tubular section define a first and a second flow passage,respectively, through the valve device 200 and the longitudinal axes ofthe tubular members are arranged to be mutually offset. The flowpassages debouch in the valve device 200 interior into respectiveregions 237, 242. Around the first tubular member 235 a further, thirdtubular member 230 is arranged by which the valve device 200 can beconnected to the above described shrouding 50.

More specifically the actuator housing 270 is defined by a wall 281 andhas a lid portion 272 that is preferably transparent. The lid portion272 has a hinge 273 whereby the lid portion 272 can turn to a positionin which the user has access to an actuator button 210 arrangedinteriorly of the actuator housing 270. When the lid portion 272 isclosed, it can be secured in engagement with the actuator housing 270 bymeans of barb-like means 274 and in this position it constitutes avisual indication that the valve device 200 is not in its suction state.By application of a downwardly oriented pressure, the actuator button210 can be shifted from the shown position to a second position in whichthe flow passage is formed by the first tubular member 235 and thesecond tubular member 240, respectively, being caused to be in flowconnection, as will be described more detailed.

The actuator housing 270 also comprises a valve housing that is arrangedin the cavity 282 within the actuator housing 270 and that delimits aninterior valve chamber consisting of a lower or first cavity 220 and anupper or second cavity 222. The valve housing which is identified byreference numeral 215 and which is seen best in FIG. 3, constitutes aseparate part of the actuator housing 270, and the wall 216 of the valvehousing 215 does not merely delimit the valve housing, but also saidtubular members 230, 235 and 240. The tubular members 230, 235 and 240extend, as shown, from the interior 282 of the actuator housing 270 viaopenings in the wall 281 of the actuator housing 270.

In the valve chamber a valve 250 is arranged for cutting off the flowconnection between the first tubular member 235 and the second tubularmember 240. The valve 250 is arranged in the lower cavity 220 within thevalve housing and is biased so as to cut off the connection between thetwo tubular members 235, 240 in its normal position. To this end thevalve 250 comprises a valve body 252 that has the shape of a pin with adownwardly open cavity and that cooperates with a valve seat 225 at thetransition between the upper 222 and the lower 220 cavity, and aspring-like portion 253 that is configured for providing a biasing forceby which the valve body 252 is kept in close abutment on the valve seat225 in the normal position of the valve body 252. The valve body 252 andthe spring-like portion 253 of the valve 250 are preferably made in onepiece of a suitable plastics material. Via a coupling means 260 thatextends outside the valve housing 215, the valve 250 is connected to theactuator button 210.

As shown, the coupling means 260 comprises a pin-like means 262 that isconfigured for being able to be secured in the downwardly open cavitywithin the valve body 252. To this end the pin-like means 262 hasperipherally arranged engagement means 263 that co-operate withcomplementary engagement means arranged on the interior surface of thecavity interiorly of the valve body 252.

Besides, FIG. 2 shows how the cavity 220 combines with the furthercavity 222 to form a flow passage that connects the first tubular member235 to the second tubular member 240. It will appear that the furthercavity 222 is arranged in extension of the cavity 220, along an axis Athat extends perpendicular to the tubular members 235, 240. Bothcavities are preferably rotational symmetrical about the axis A. Whenfluid flows through the valve device 200, that fluid will—followingpassage through the flow passage within the tubular member 235—bedeflected in accordance with the axis A in order to subsequently flow onthrough the flow passage within the tubular member 240. With due regardto the terminology to be used below, the cavity 222 is to be understoodas being situated at the upper or first side of the valve housing 215,whereas the cavity 220 is to be understood as being situated at thelower or other side of the valve housing 215.

In FIG. 3 the components that constitute the valve device 200 is shownprior to assembly. The reference numeral 215 designates the valvehousing that is preferably manufactured as an integral unit. It willappear that the cavities 220, 222 within the valve housing 215 interiorconstitutes arched or domed portions of the valve housing 215. At thebottom, the cavity 220 has an opening 219 that is delimited by anannularly extending edge 217 that preferably extends in a planeperpendicular to the axis A. The opening 219 allows mounting of thevalve 250.

It will appear from FIG. 3 that the valve body 252 has a pin-like shape,whereas a flexible, cup-shaped membrane that acts as a springconstitutes a further portion 253 of the valve 250. The flexiblemembrane 253 closes off the opening 219 within the valve housing 215,and the membrane is preferably secured to the edge 217 that delimits theopening 219 via an annular fixation body 255 that is welded to the edge217 of the valve housing 215 and an annular edge 251 on the valve 250,respectively. FIG. 3 also shows the coupling means 260 that connects theactuator button 210 to the valve body 250. The coupling means 260comprises an engagement face 265 that enables the coupling means 260 tocooperate with the actuator button 210.

It will also appear from FIG. 3 how, advantageously, the actuatorhousing 270 can be made of two halves 275, 280 that are configured forbeing assembled. In their assembled state, the two halves 275, 280constitute an enclosure around the valve housing 215 with the actuatorbutton 210 being in abutment on the coupling means 260 that is engagingthe valve body 250 that is, in turn, closely connected to the valvehousing 215. The upper half 275 has a cut-out that enables the user toobtain access to the actuator button 210. The actuator button 210 aswell as the coupling means 260 is provided with recesses with respectivebottom edges 213, 261, the object of which will appear from the belowteachings.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 that show the valve 250 in afirst and a second extreme position, respectively, of the valve body252. For the sake of simplicity the figures show the valve device 200without the upper half 275 of the actuator housing 270.

In the position of the valve 250 shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 252 isoffset downwards along the axis A, ie away from the valve seat 225 ofthe valve housing 215 that is formed at the transition between the lowercavity 220 and the upper cavity 222. This shifting movement is possible,the cup-shaped portion 253 of the valve 250 being flexible and able tooccupy the position outlined in FIG. 4, in which the necessary tensionshave been accumulated within the cup-shaped portion 253 that seeks tobring the valve body 252 into abutment on the valve seat 225.

As mentioned previously, the actuator button 210 as well as the couplingmeans 260 has respective bottom edges 213, 261 that form delimitationsfor the movements of the actuator button 210 and the coupling means 260,respectively, along the axis A. It will be understood that the bottomedge 213 is arranged such that the user is able to depress the actuatorbutton 210 to such extent that the valve body 252 is to a wide extentcaused to completely exit the flow path for fluid that flows through thecavities 220, 222, as the strength and flexibility of the second portion253 of the valve body 250 being adjusted in accordance with this maximalmovement along the axis A. Conversely, the bottom edge 261 on thecoupling means 260 will preferably be configured to abut on an area 218of the valve housing 215 in the closing position of the valve body 250.Hereby it is ensured that the valve body 252 abuts on the valve seat 225with a certain impact force, a complete relief of the internal stressesin the portion 253 of the valve 250 being avoidable.

It is an important feature of the invention that the coupling means 260that connects the valve 250 to the actuator button 210 extends outsidethe cavities 220, 222, ie outside the valve housing 215 proper. Therebyunimpeded flow of fluid through the valve device 200 is ensured. It isconcurrently observed that a sub-atmospheric pressure at the tubularmember 240 will impart auto-sealing properties to the valve device 200,the sub-atmospheric pressure entailing—when the valve 250 is in theclosed position shown in FIG. 5—an increased sealing between the valvebody 252 and the valve seat 225.

FIG. 5 illustrates the second state of the valve 250, in which state thevalve body 252 abuts on the valve seat 225. From this drawing it willappear that, within the space between the first tubular member 235 andthe third tubular member 230, a narrow passage 232 is formed that isconfigured for connecting the interior of the shrouding 50 with theopen. Preferably the passage 232 debouches in a filter 208 that servesto ensure separation of hazardous substances, if any, contained in theair within the shrouding. The passage allows repression and aspirationof air into the shrouding 50 when the shrouding is collapsed andexpanded, respectively, during use of the catheter 40. Thus, the air isable to pass along the path shown by the line L in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 alsoshows the valve device 200 without the securing sleeve 205 shown in FIG.2 by which the shrouding 50 can be secured around the tubular member230. The securing sleeve 205 is more specifically clipped in place onthe tubular member via a mounting flange 206, and the shrouding issecured by frictional engagement between the surfaces of the securingsleeve 205 and the tubular member 230.

It will be understood from the above that a user of the valve devicewill first open the lid portion 272 and thus hold the palm of his handaround the lower half 280 of the actuator housing. To allow flow offluid through the valve device 200 the user subsequently depresses theactuator button 210 until the bottom edge 213 abuts on the surface ofthe valve housing 215 in an area 218′.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve device for a closed system forendotracheal aspiration of a patient via a catheter, said valve devicecomprises: a wall with an opening and a valve received in said opening,said wall and said valve together defining a valve housing and saidvalve being adapted to seal said opening; a first flow passage, wherebysaid valve housing can be connected to said catheter; a second flowpassage, whereby said valve housing can be connected to a vacuum source;said valve having a valve body movable within said valve housing alongan axis from a first position engaging a valve seat formed opposite saidopening, in said first position the first and the second flow passagesare separated from each other, to a second position wherein said firstand said second flow passages are connected to each other; a manuallyoperated actuator button for the valve, wherein said actuator button isconfigured for being movable between a first position and a secondposition; a coupling engaging said valve body and said actuator buttonfor transmitting said movement of the actuator button to the valve, saidcoupling extending exteriorly relative to the valve housing; said valveincluding a flexible membrane which spans over said opening and which isconnected to said valve body and the wall, respectively, and a springdevice acting on said valve body, wherein said valve body is locatedcloser to said opening in said second position, said flexible membranepermitting said movement of said valve body towards said opening toconnect said first and said second flow passages, and wherein saidspring device is adapted to bias said valve body towards said firstposition.
 2. A valve device according to claim 1, wherein said actuatorbutton is arranged at a first side of said valve housing; and saidcoupling is arranged at an opposite side of the valve housing.
 3. Avalve device according to claim 2, further comprising an actuatorhousing enclosing said valve housing and said coupling; and saidactuator housing further comprises an access opening that allows accessto the actuator button.
 4. A valve device according to claim 1, whereinsaid flexible membrane forms said spring device.
 5. A valve deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said valve body further comprises a cavitywith first engagement means, said cavity facing away from the interiorof said valve housing; that said coupling further comprises a pin-likemember having second engagement means configured for cooperating withsaid first engagement means.
 6. A valve device according to claim 1,wherein said valve housing further comprises a first valve chamberformed as a domed cavity and a second valve chamber formed as a domedcavity and said second valve chamber is located above said first valvechamber; said first and said second chamber are rotationally symmetricalrelative to the axis; said first chamber debouches in said opening; andthe transition between said first and said second chamber forms saidvalve seat.
 7. A valve device according to claim 6, wherein said firstflow passage is configured for debauching in said first chamber; andsaid second flow passage is configured for debouching in said secondchamber.
 8. A valve device according to claim 1, wherein said couplingand said actuator button are integrally formed.
 9. A valve deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a third flow passage encloses said firstflow passage; said wall also defines a passage that debouches, at afirst end, in said third flow passage, and that debouches into the open.10. A valve device according to claim 9, wherein said passage furthercomprises a filter means.
 11. A valve device according to claim 2,wherein said flexible membrane forms said spring device.
 12. A valvedevice according to claim 3, wherein said flexible membrane forms saidspring device.